In 2015, the Victorian Government commissioned an independent review of the Climate Change Act 2010 as a first step in its commitment to position Victoria as a leader in climate change action.

The independent review committee's final report was tabled in Parliament by the Minister on Thursday 11 February 2016. The review found that the existing Act does not support Victoria's current needs in responding to climate change. It made 33 recommendations to strengthen Victoria's climate change laws and position Victoria to deal with the challenges of climate change.

The Victorian Government's response to the independent review was released on Thursday, 9th June 2016. It sets out the government's acceptance of the vast majority of the Committee's recommendations and its intention to establish a world leading legislative foundation for its climate change agenda.

Through the response, the government will:

• set a long-term emissions reduction target of net zero by 2050 in legislation, supported by process for setting interim targets every five years to ensure the long term target is met;
• develop five yearly Victorian Climate Change Strategies that incorporate both mitigation and adaptation;
• work in partnership with local government, community and business to pledge specific actions to reduce emissions, now and into the future; and
• develop integrated Adaptation Action Plans for key climate exposed sectors.